India Bangladesh Pakistan Tri-Nation Tournament

Umer Gul took four wickets as Pakistan avenged its lopsided defeat in the league round with a 25-run victory over India in Saturday's final of the limited-overs tri-series.
Salman Butt and Younis Khan scored centuries and shared a 205-run second-wicket stand to guide Pakistan to 315 for three and then Gul and the bowlers did the rest, dismissing India for 290 in the penultimate over at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National stadium.
India, which beat Bangladesh in its first match and Pakistan by 140 runs on Thursday, struggled early in the reply after losing opener Virendra Sehwag (2) in the second over.
Gautam Gambhir scored 40 before he was caught by substitute fielder Nasir Jamshed of a Gul delivery.
Rohit Sharma (24), Yusuf Pathan (25) and Suresh Raina (24) failed to convert starts into a big innings and allrounder Shahid Afridi ended the innings of both of India's top scorers.
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit a defiant 64 until he was out in the 48th over, caught by Jamshed off Afridi's bowling. Afridi had earlier dismissed Yuvraj Singh for 56 and returned 2-56 from 9.2 overs.
Gul, who also bowled out Piyush Chawla (2) and trapped Praveen Kumar (5) lbw, finished with 4-57 in nine overs.
"It's a big victory, a final and that against India," Gul said. "It was a do or die battle for us."
Pakistan started positively after winning the toss. Butt made the most of an early reprieve — dropped at short cover in the 11th over — to hit 10 boundaries in his 129 before retiring hurt near the end of the innings.
"It was a perfect team job and it could not have been scripted better," Butt said. "I won an important game for my country, nothing gets better."
Khan stroked seven boundaries and three sixes, scoring 108 off 99 balls before he was caught by Sehwag off an Ishant Sharma delivery.
It was a surprising loss for India, which won a recent series in Australia against the World Cup holders and is third in the ODI world rankings.

IND vs PAK, Tri Series, Final: India favourites against Pakistan

June 14, 2008

India will go into the final of the cricket tri-series against Pakistan Saturday as overwhelming favourites but they cannot afford to take their rivals lightly. The past is replete with instances of Pakistan fiercely fighting back under pressure. An India-Pakistan title clash is a mouth watering contest for cricket fans in the subcontinent and India’s success in Australia and their complete domination of the current series here makes them look invincible even before a ball is bowled in the final.
India ended Pakistan’s 12-match winning streak, handing them 140-run defeat in the league match earlier in the week.
India was superior in all the departments and Pakistan hardly ever looked like a team battling it out in the middle.
Everything seems to be going right for the Indians in the series. Their top-order has fired magnificently. In fact, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are in ominous touch and seem to have taken the responsibility of finishing matches on their own.
Runs have also come from Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma in the middle order. The bowling has been incisive with Praveen Kumar proving that his performance in the semifinal and final in Australia was not a fluke. He has swung the ball and troubled the top-order batsmen. R.P. Singh is also among wickets, while Piyush Chawla has given nothing away.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had everything going for him so far, but a strategist like him knows that performance on the day counts in cricket. Dhoni and his team will have to guard against complacency.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has plenty to think about before the match.
Their batting has been shoddy and fielding awful. The body language hardly gave the impression of a fighting side and skipper Shaoib Malik has failed to inspire the team.
The bowling looked good in patches and Umar Gul certainly has the ability to rock any side on his day.
Pakistan Cricket board Chairman Nasim Ashraf has dashed off a letter to the team management, raising awkward questions, after their embarrassing loss against India. It remains to be seen how the team reacts to it and raises its performance Saturday.
India team (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C), Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, R.P. Singh, Piyush Chawla, Pragyan Ojha and MS Gony.
Pakistan team (from): Shoaib Malik (C), Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Yonus Khan, Muhammad Yousaf, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Umer Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Nasir Jamshed, Sohail Khan, Rao Iftikar, Bazid Khan and Naumanullah.

An unbeaten century from Gautam Gambhir and a blistering half-century from Virender Sehwag led India to victory over Bangladesh in the Tri-Series.
Sehwag's early onslaught ensured India were never under pressure as they made light work of a target of 223.
India eclipsed the target in 35.1 overs, losing just three wickets in the process, and will take on Pakistan in the final on Saturday.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 222 in 49.5 overs, the bulk of the runs coming off the bat of Raqibul Hasan (89).
RP Singh, India's only change from the team that humbled Pakistan on Tuesday, was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three for 46.
Sehwag, who plundered 89 runs in India's 140-run win over Pakistan, continued from where he left off as he cut and pulled Bangladesh's bowlers in typically ferocious fashion.
He brought up his half-century in just 29 deliveries, but departed soon after while attempting to hook Dolar Mahmud.
Sehwag (59) had hit Mahmud for a couple of sixes and fours, but the bowler had the last laugh when he snared the opener off the last delivery in his expensive first over.
India's innings lost momentum following Sehwag's dismissal as Rohit Sharma laboured to 26 before falling to a mistimed sweep.
But, Yuvraj Singh (26), who was dismissed when at the doorstep of victory, got the chase back up to speed.

IND vs BAN, Tri Series, Match 3: Bangladesh face India today

June 12, 2008

Bangladesh are up against a strong Indian outfit in the last league match of the Kitply Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur today.
India are virtually in the final of the day-night tournament following their massive 140-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan on Tuesday and the Tigers' loss to Pakistan by 70 runs. Surprisingly, Bangladesh have an outside chance of making it into the final if they can upset their more illustrious opponents.
So far, the two sides have played each other 18 times, 15 of which have been won by India. Bangladesh shocked them twice, once at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in 2004 and then in Port-of-Spain during World Cup 2007. On the other occasion, the match was abandoned due to heavy rain in Chittagong last year.
It will be their third meeting in the Mirpur venue after the two sides faced each other here last year when India won the one-day series 2-0.
India team (from): M.S. Dhoni (captaian), V. Sehwag, G. Gambhir, Y. Singh, R. Sharma, S. Raina, Y. Pathan, I. Pathan, P. Chawla, P. Kumar, I. Sharma, R. Uthappa, M. Gony, P. Ojha, R.P. Singh.
Bangladesh team (from): M. Ashraful, S. Nafees, T. Iqbal, R. Hasan, M. Rahim, A. Kapali, Mahmudullah, M. Moztaza, D. Mahmud, S. Hossain, A. Razzak, F. Reza.

IND vs PAK, Tri Series, Match 2: Malik and Pakistan fined

June 12, 2008

Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik has been fined 20% of his match fee for a slow over rate during the second match of the tri-series against India.
International Cricket Council match referee Jeff Crowe found Malik and his team to have been two overs short of the target when time allowances were taken into consideration.
Pakistan's players were each fined 10% of their match fees, 5% for every over, while the captain was fined doubled in accordance with ICC rules.
"Although there was a rain interruption late in the innings, which always makes it difficult to keep the overs flowing, Pakistan only bowled 13 overs by the first drinks break and never managed to recover that deficit," said Crowe of his decision.
Pakistan's bowlers were guilty of bowling as many as 15 wides and three no-balls, which contributed to the slow over-rate.
India beat Pakistan by 140 runs, but both teams will progress to Saturday's final should India beat Bangladesh on Thursday.

India posted their biggest ODI win over arch-rivals Pakistan with a 140-run victory in their triangular series match.
After scoring 330 for eight, India dismissed Pakistan for 190 to end their 12-match winning streak. India's previous highest victory over Pakistan was their 87-run win three years ago.
Gautam Gambhir (62), Virender Sehwag (89) and Yuvral Singh (55), the top three in the order, scored the majority of India's runs.
Sehwag and Gambhir, who was dropped twice, put on 155 for the first wicket. Sehwag hit a six and 13 boundaries from 76 balls and Gambhir six fours from 62 balls while Singh faced 54 balls, hitting three sixes and three fours.
Pace bowler Praveen Kumar (four for 53) and 19-year-old leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (four for 40) bundled out Pakistan with 14.2 overs to spare.
Captain Shoaib Malik who scored 53, his 28th one-day half-century, was Pakistan's only successful batsman.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni led Team India has virtually captured every frontier in the recent past with Australia being its latest victim while arch-rival Pakistan is eager to extend its 12-match winning streak when the two sides lock horns in the second match of the tri-series.
Pakistan drubbed minnows Bangladesh by 70 runs here yesterday and its coach Geoff Lawson believes his team is capable of forcing India to surrender and that too by a bigger margin.
However, Lawson's Indian counterpart Gary Kirsten says his team is confident and its good run will continue the way it has in the recent past.
Pakistan team, which is on a roll after winning 12 successive matches has its tails up. Its winning spree which started against India was followed by 11 wins but all of them came against minnows Bangladesh (6) and Zimbabwe (5).
Dhoni's boys would be eager to settle scores but a long 44-day Twenty20 tournament in IPL did not give them any breathing space before the triangular series here.
While Pakistani players were a sure shot flop in the recently concluded IPL, Sohail Tanvir stood out with his exceptional bowling efforts in the tournament and emerged the highest wicket-taker. His team would look up to him to provide some early wickets.
In his side's victory against Bangladesh, Lawson was particularly pleased with an out-of-form Shahid Afridi's all-round effort. Afridi scored 20 runs off 17 balls and was spinning the bowl a great deal as he picked up three wickets in his eight overs conceding a mere 19 runs.
India team (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (cap, wk), Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla, Praveen Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Gautam Gambhir.
Pakistan team (from): Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (Wicket Keeper), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik (Captain), Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul.

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 70 runs in the rain-delayed opening match of the triangular series in Dhaka yesterday.
Chasing 233 for victory, Bangladesh reached 163 for eight in 40 overs.
Earlier, Salman Butt and Mohammad Yousuf cracked brisk half-centuries.
Left-handed opener Butt made 70 and Yousuf 59 after Pakistan had been put in to bat in a match reduced to 40-overs-a-side due to rain.
Butt put on 75 for the opening wicket Kamran Akmal, dominating new-ball bowlers Shahadat Hossain and Mashrafe Mortaza with attractive strokes.
He raced to his half-century off just 47 balls.
Debutant seamer Dolar Mahmud provided the breakthrough in the 12th over when he had Akmal (25) caught by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, who dived to his right to bring off a low catch.
Younus Khan was run out in the next over, but Butt and Yousuf propped up the innings with a 65-run stand for the third wicket.
Butt struck 10 fours in his 84-ball knock and Yousuf seven boundaries in his 56-ball innings. It was Butt's eighth half-century and Yousuf's 62nd.
Misbah-ul-Haq then built on the efforts of Butt and Yousuf, smashing two sixes and three fours in a 22-ball 39.
Leg-spinner Alok Kapali dismissed Shahid Afridi (20) and Yousuf in the same over to finish with 3-49.

Pakistan must overcome the absence of troubled pacemen Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar when it aims to extend its 11-match winning streak in limited overs cricket against host Bangladesh on Sunday.
The teams will clash in the opening match of a three-nation one-day series also involving India.
"We have won 11 games in a row, and we want to continue that," Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik told reporters earlier in the Bangladesh capital. "We are looking forward to a good series. Everyone is fit and in good form."
Malik added that the absence of ace fast bowlers Mohammad Asif, who was dropped from the squad after being arrested in Dubai for allegedly carrying an illegal substance, and Shoaib Akhtar, who is serving a five-year international ban for repeated disciplinary breaches, could be overcome.
"We still have a decent bowling attack in Sohail Tanvir, Omar Gul, Sohail Khan and Iftikhar Anjum," Malik said.
Led by Malik and coach Geoff Lawson, a 16-member Pakistan squad arrived Friday in Dhaka.
Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful, meanwhile, said his side is aiming for improvement against its neighbors. It has won only one match each against Pakistan and India in the past nine years.
"We want to be competitive and show improvement in this series," Ashraful said.
The first match will be a day-night contest at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on the outskirts of Dhaka.
Pakistan will meet archrival India on Tuesday, while Bangladesh face the latter on Thursday. The final is scheduled for June 14.
"India recently won a series against Australia in Australia, so their confidence is high. But we also have to take Bangladesh seriously as they are playing in their home conditions," said Malik.

Pakistan rely on pace for Bangladesh tri-series

June 03, 2008

Pakistan cricket selectors Monday included five fast bowlers in a 16-man squad to take part in next week's one-day tri-series in Bangladesh.
Fit-again Mohammad Asif leads the strong pace attack, which also includes Umar Gul, Sohail Tanveer, Rao Iftikhar and rookie left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz. But suspended paceman Shoaib Akhtar was not considered.
"Akhtar was not considered as he was suspended and the team is a balanced one which we hope can do well in the tri-series," said chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed.
The squad for the Asia Cup, which Pakistan will host from June 24 to July 6, will be announced later, Ahmed said.
The 25-year-old Asif suffered a hand injury while playing in a domestic cricket tournament in India but has since recovered well for Pakistan's hectic season ahead.
He has played in only four one-day matches for Pakistan this year after undergoing elbow surgery in Australia late last year.
The 32-year-old Akhtar was banned for five years on charges of indiscipline in April this year -- a ban suspended for one month to allow him to feature in the Indian event.
His appeal against the ban will resume next week.
The tri-series, also featuring India, will be held in Dhaka from June 8-14, with each side playing the other once in a league before the June 14 final.
Pakistan will play Bangladesh in the opening match on June 8 and then come face to face with archrivals India two days later.
India meet Bangladesh on June 12.
Pakistan Squad: Shoaib Malik (Captain), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Asif, Sohail Tanveer, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz, Fawad Alam, Bazid Khan, Naumanullah Khan

Aftab ruled out from Tri-Nation & Asia Cup

June 02, 2008

Bangladesh batsman Aftab Ahmed Chowdhury has been ruled out of the upcoming Tri-Nation ODI Series and also from the Asia Cup 2008 due to his recent finger injury.
All rounder Alok Kapali, who was in the reserve squad for both the meets, has replaced Aftab.
Aftab injured his finger during batting practice on Saturday when he was struck by a ball resulting in dislocation and fracture of one of the bones in his finger.
X-ray confirmed that there was a fracture of the right ring finger which will need surgical operation. Aftab has also been advised to take rest for around six weeks.

Yusuf Pathan, Ojha new faces in 15-man squad for tri-series

May 30, 2008

India on Friday named uncapped pair Yusuf Pathan and Pragyan Ojha in a 15-man squad for a one-day tri-series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in Pakistan next month.
Pathan, 25, the elder brother of left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan, is a hard-hitting batsman and off-spinner who was part of India's World Cup winning Twenty-20 squad in South Africa in September.
Ojha, a 21-year-old from Hyderabad, is widely regarded as the country's best young left-arm spinner and forced his way into the national squad after a successful domestic season.
Pathan replaces star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who opted out of both tournaments to recover from a groin injury in time for the Test and one-day tour of Sri Lanka from mid-July.
Ojha comes in for Harbhajan Singh, the off-spinner who was banned for five one-dayers after being found guilty of slapping national team-mate Shanthakumaran Sreesanth during a domestic match last month.
The selectors once again ignored veterans Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid as they continued to look ahead to the next World Cup in 2011.
Ganguly and Dravid, both aged 35, are two of the seven batsmen in the world to have scored more than 10,000 one-day runs.
Left-hand batsman Suresh Raina, 21, who last played a one-dayer in January 2007, pipped reserve wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthick for the last batting slot.
Seamer Rudra Pratap Singh returns to the squad after missing India's one-day engagement in Australia in March when Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men defeated the hosts 2-0 in the tri-series finals.
The tri-series in Bangladesh, also featuring Pakistan, will be played in Dhaka from June 8-14 with each side playing the other once in the league before the final.
Pakistan will host the six-nation Asia Cup from June 24-July 6. The other teams are Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.
India Team: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla, Pragyan Ojha, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Rudra Pratap Singh, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar.

BCCI postpones Zimbabwe tour

Apr 09, 2008

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has put off India’s tour of Zimbabwe for a three-match One-Day International series in June.
After the Indian Premier League (IPL) concludes, the Indian team will take a week off before flying to Bangladesh for a tri-series there from June 8 to 14.
Once it returns from there, the squad will leave for Pakistan for the Asia Cup.
“We have decided to put off the tour of Zimbabwe. The hectic calendar makes it quite impossible and we have conveyed the decision to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union,” BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah said.
India’s pull-out will be a major blow for Zimbabwe, which will have to wait for a high-profile series till its home series against Sri Lanka in November.